I have been eyeing Athens tetradrachms for several years, but thought they were too expensive. I finally found one that seemed right for the price. I also really liked the "new style" over the traditional one with the owl. This one just has more detail. The rim has taken some hits, but nothing too much for me. This is my most expensive Greek coin and only maybe one of ten ancients I have (most are Constantine era).
The "Letters" on the amphora appear to me to be the single letter B (Beta),and probably represents what in Roman coinage would be the second officiana. I don't know the term for Greek coins. Other similar coins on Wildwinds have Alpha, Gamma, or Delta. (Bing's has Gamma) Just guessing, since I'm certainly no expert.
I would think "beta" as well. I am wondering why with all the information they had on the coin, why they listed the letters/letter as "unknown."
It's the wrong flip (HJ Berk, it seems), I assume - the magistrates named on the reverse are ΑΦΡΟ∆ΙΣΙ & ΑΠΟΛΗΞI, with Nike on the reverse. It's from 123/2 BC - there's a page on Forum about these - https://www.forumancientcoins.com/numiswiki/view.asp?key=new style This is another example of your coin, coincidentally from HJ Berk - https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=6253189 ATB, Aidan.
You are an impressive detective! Yes, I bought it from HJ Berk. I am fortunate to go to school that is in walking distance to their office. I have had opportunities to hold many coins there that I could never afford. Thank you for the information.
